Method and licensing system for automatically licensing service features during the upgrade of a communication system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for automatically licensing service features during the upgrade of a first communication system (11) into a second communication system (12), said method having the following steps: (a) extracting the service features to be licensed from a database, (b) transmitting the service features to be licensed to a License Server (CLS), (c) generating a license file (LF) in the License server (CLS), (d) transmitting the license file (LF) to the second communication system (12), and (e) installing the license file (LF) in the second communication system (12). This invention also relates to a corresponding computer program and corresponding licensing system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the United States national phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT international application no. PCT/EP2012/000956, filed on Mar. 2, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Embodiments relate to methods for automatically licensing features during the upgrade of a first communication system to a second communication system, a computer program and a licensing system to perform such method.

Background of the Related Art

Modem communication systems such as telephone systems for small, medium and large enterprises are configurable and scalable in many ways, for example using CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) and CSTA (Computer Supported Telecommunications Applications). Mostly, the determined features are activated by means of a file containing licensing data.

A change in the scope of features to be licensed is often associated to the upgrade of such a system. The reasons for this can be legal reasons (for example, required royalty payments to licensors), economic reasons (for example, if customers are to pay for a feature in a new version) or technical reasons (for example in old versions, as many TDM as available ports could connected while for a new system, a license is required for each TDM device). TDM stands for Time Domain Multiplex and refers to a telecommunication device which uses a time multiplex procedure as for example in “conventional” devices such as wireless phones, but not as in IP phones.

According to internal company procedures, the upgrade of telecommunication systems may typically be carried out manually according to the following procedure:

1. A special user (who in many cases is a product manager or PM) acquires a quantity of licenses also known as PM-licenses for new systems using standard procurement procedures. Different scenarios for “New Systems” are possible: It can be the hardware of a legacy system on which new software or new software features are updated or upgraded. It can be as well the use of new hardware which can operate new software with newly licensed features.

2. As a further step of the ordering procedure the license fees are paid.

3. After the ordering process is completed, the licenses become available on the PM's account.

4. Whenever a customer wants to upgrade an old system, he sends to the PM a proof of the presence of the features on the old system. This proof can be provided in the form of screenshots, a delivery slip for the TDM devices or the like.

5. The PM sends the new licenses manually to the customer's account.

6. This customer will then activate the new licenses.

The procedure described above has a number of disadvantages:

1. The PM must in each case estimate in advance how many are needed.

2. The royalty payment is made before the actual use or activation of the licenses, which is sooner than required.

3. Generally, the licenses are not immediately available, since the ordering process takes some time.

4. The required evidence is not safe and there is room for abuse.

5. It can be impossible or very difficult to ensure that new licenses are not enabled on systems that have not been upgraded. In other words, it is difficult to prevent that such licenses are used to upgrade an existing communication system on which no “old” license or software was installed and to configure and activate it as functional system.

Another fundamental problem is that the upgrade is a manual process requiring a significant effort and thus generating significant training and implementation costs as well as costs to correct errors and avoid errors.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We provide a method for automatically licensing features during the upgrade of a first communication system to a second communication, a corresponding computer program, and a corresponding licensing system.

According to an embodiment of the invention a computer aided and computer-based method for automatically licensing features during the upgrade of a first communication system to a second communication system (where the first communication system does not necessarily have to be different from the second one in terms of hardware or software) includes the following steps: first, the features that need to be licensed are extracted from a database. This database can be built, for example, from existing features in the first communication system. Then, the features which have to be licensed are transmitted to a license server and a license file is created, which is then transmitted to the second communication system and is installed there also.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows schematically the components of a license system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention and FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for automatically licensing service features during the upgrade of a first communication system to a second communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The method according to the invention replaces the usual manual workflow with an automated procedure. The method can be executed in a simple and cost-effective manner, and it eliminates the need for licenses that are used later to be purchased and paid for in advance. By extracting the features to be upgraded from existing databases and by transferring therm to the license server, a simple and automated procedure is ensured.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, the step of extracting the features to be licensed from the database comprises a step of reading the features of the first communication system and depositing the data in a customer data memory. Thus, these data and features can be transferred as a compact unit, which can for example be done in binary format by means of an appropriate software tool.

It is advantageous to convert the content of the customer's data memory and to expand it with further information, such as, for example, as given by means of the MAC address. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the step of transmitting the features that need to be licensed to the license serve comprises a step of transmitting the converted content of the customer data memory to the second communication system, and in addition a step of generating and transmitting an inventory file to the license server. All the customer data (at least the essential customer data) are included as an “Inventory” for example in this inventory file. The security of the transmission and the protection against fraud can be substantially increased if the inventory file is cryptographically signed.

A particularly simple and safe process implementation is possible because a License Authorization Code is entered on the license server. This license authorization code specifies and determines the licensed features, and also which features need to be upgraded. The License Authorization Code can be used for an order to upgrade a version or to acquire additional licenses.

It may be advantageous if the license server could check first whether or not the first communication system is upgraded. So it can be prevented that an old system without any license would be upgraded through an upgrade license.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous that the license server runs a verification step to prevent another upgrade of a second communication system. This means that for example, when replacing old hardware with new hardware, systems cannot be upgraded via the license server. To this end, a lock table is created, and by doing so, the MAC address of the old hardware, that has to be retired and replaced with new hardware, is captured which prevents the upgrade of the old hardware with an upgrade license. This greatly reduces possible fraud.

Embodiments may also provide a computer program or computer program product according to claim 9 for carrying out any of the methods described above. The advantages and characteristics associated to the methods previously described are similarly applicable to the computer program, an therefore no separate description is provided.

Embodiments may also provide a licensing system. Such a licensing system includes a first communication system, a second communication system (which must not necessarily be different from the first communication system in terms of hardware and/or software), as well as a license server. The advantages and characteristics of the licensing system according to the invention are similar to those previously described with regard to the methods and are therefore not described again.

As already mentioned, no upfront licenses are required by the method and the computer program and licensing system according to the invention, which is why the royalty payment to the licensor does not take place until the date on which the licenses are needed. It is also possible that an upgrade may optionally be carried out without ordering licenses, provided this is allowed by the system. This would be the case, for example, that when switching to new hardware, the new or additional licenses will be provided free of charge.

It should also be noted that all transactions are documented and can be easily understood. The inventory file includes all previous features (excluding the upgrade newly added features.)

According to the invention it is thus possible to prevent in a simple way that new licenses are activated on systems that were not upgraded since proof of the presence on the old systems must first be provided.

Further advantages, features and characteristics of this invention will become apparent from the following description of an advantageous embodiment of both the method and the licensing system that can be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 2.

The license system 10 comprises a first communication system 11 and a second communication system 12 that are shown. The first communication system 11 is an old system and the second communication system 12 is a new one which includes hardware changes. As already stated, the two communication systems 11, 12 can be the same and only differ in software and/or licenses.

A telecommunication system called OSO MX V3 by Siemens Enterprise Communications is used as an example for the first communication system 11, while the next generation communication system called Next-GenSME is used as an example for the second communication system 12. An application 14 for the administration of customer data (“ManagerE”), reads the customer data on the first communication system 11 and stores it in so-called customer data memory KDS. This KDS customer data memory is then transferred as a binary file to the ManagerE. Here are stored the number of the features that have not been licensed on the first communication system 11, but that are defined by means of other features (e.g. a proper hardware system). In this example it is the number of physically installed TDM devices or TDM users. This feature previously available for free should be considered as part of the version upgrade since it needs to be licensed on the new version of the product (NextGenSME, for example).

The number of features that must be upgraded (e.g. TDM users) is determined from the customer data memory by using a KDS-conversion. Here, the customer data include additional information (in particular the MAC address of the system they belong to.)

The converted content KDS′ of the customer data memory KDS is transferred to the second communication device 12. A so-called inventory INV file is generated in the second communication system 12 and cryptographically signed.

The Inventory file INV is transferred to the license server (also called Central License Server) CLS using the WBM/CSCM interface for online licensing via the Internet. WBM stands for Web-Based Management, which is used for the administration of a communication system 11 or 12 on a web server with an interface to a browser. CSCm stands for Customer Site Components modular, which is an interface between the WBM and the license server and is used to establish a connection to the license server for the online licensing procedure. A license file LF is downloaded from the license server CLS and the content of the loaded license is displayed in the WBM. In addition, a license authorization code LAC is entered via the WBM. A license order for a version upgrade and optionally for additional licenses is issued. To ensure that the inventory file was not tampered with, the license server CLS can verify the signature and also ensure by means of the MAC address in the transferred Inventory File and of a revocation list created in a database DB that the original system has not been upgraded yet. The presence (payment) of the available licenses required for the planned upgrade can be checked by means of the transmitted License Authorization Codes LAC. The license server CLS generates the license file LF for the second communication system 12 taking into account the data in the inventory file, as well as the purchased licenses that are referenced via the License Authorization Code LAC. To avoid a further activation of the Inventory INV files on another system or in another communication system, the license server CLS records the MAC address from the Inventory file in the revocation list. In case of an attempt to upgrade a communication system whose corresponding MAC address is listed in the revocation list, an error message appears, and the licensing process is canceled. This greatly enhances the security and protects against fraudulent licensing.

The generated license file LF (also called license data) will be sent via the Internet interface to the second communication system 12 where it is installed. Subsequently, the second communication system 12 can be used with all the upgraded features.

It should be noted that the described features of the invention with reference to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, such as sequence and exact execution of the individual method steps and the software and hardware components used, may be present in other embodiments and, except when otherwise indicated or prohibited for technical reasons. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A computer-implemented method for licensing features, comprising: creating a license file based on a feature to be licensed; receiving a license authorization code specifying the feature; determining that a communication system does not utilize the feature by identifying a media access control (MAC) address of the communication system; and in response to determining that the communication system does not utilize the feature, transferring the license file to the communication system for installation.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the license authorization code comprises receiving an order to upgrade.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the license authorization code comprises receiving an order to acquire an additional license.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining the feature to be licensed by determining feature data from the communication system; and storing the feature data in a database.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein identifying the MAC address comprises identifying the MAC address from an inventory file.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the inventory file is cryptographically signed.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving an inventory file comprising the MAC address; and wherein determining that the communication system does not utilize the feature by identifying the MAC address comprises identifying the MAC address from the inventory file.
 18. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause: creating a license file based on a feature to be licensed; receiving a license authorization code specifying the feature; determining that a communication system does not utilize the feature by identifying a media access control (MAC) address of the communication system; and in response to determining that the communication system does not utilize the feature, transferring the license file to the communication system for installation.
 19. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein receiving the license authorization code comprises receiving an order to upgrade.
 20. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein receiving the license authorization code comprises receiving an order to acquire an additional license.
 21. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 18, storing further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause: determining the feature to be licensed by determining feature data from the communication system; and storing the feature data in a database.
 22. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein identifying the MAC address comprises identifying the MAC address from an inventory file.
 23. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the inventory file is cryptographically signed.
 24. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 18, storing further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause: receiving an inventory file comprising the MAC address; and wherein determining that the communication system does not utilize the feature by identifying the MAC address comprises identifying the MAC address from the inventory file.
 25. A system for licensing features, comprising: a processor; a memory operatively connected to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause: creating a license file based on a feature to be licensed; receiving a license authorization code specifying the feature; determining that a communication system does not utilize the feature by identifying a media access control (MAC) address of the communication system; and in response to determining that the communication system does not utilize the feature, transferring the license file to the communication system for installation.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein receiving the license authorization code comprises receiving an order to upgrade.
 27. The system of claim 25, wherein receiving the license authorization code comprises receiving an order to acquire an additional license.
 28. The system of claim 25, wherein the memory stores further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause: determining the feature to be licensed by determining feature data from the communication system; and storing the feature data in a database.
 29. The system of claim 25, wherein identifying the MAC address comprises identifying the MAC address from an inventory file.
 30. The system of claim 25, wherein the memory stores further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause: receiving an inventory file comprising the MAC address; and wherein determining that the communication system does not utilize the feature by identifying the MAC address comprises identifying the MAC address from the inventory file. 